Pirate radio's return to Harwich earlier this year is set to help restore a piece of maritime history.

BBC Essex spent a week in Harwich port in April celebrating the 40th anniversary of Radio Caroline's first broadcast.

Now the National Vintage and Wireless Museum, based in the High Lighthouse, has produced a commemorative DVD to record the week which remembered pirate radio's glory days.

Money from sales will go to the museum and help restore the LV18 one of the last manned lighthouses to be built for Trinity House.

The classic vessel, owned by Harwich-based charity the Pharos Trust, served as a home for this year's Pirate BBC Essex at Easter.

But charity trustee and founder Tony O'Neil said the LV18 is in urgent need of funds if it is to open as a museum.

The 94-minute DVD with an introduction by veteran "pirate" Dave Cash is available by post from the Wireless Museum or online at www.lv18.co.uk

Published Monday, December 13, 2004

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